Evaluating the role of DNA evidence in sexual offence cases in Zambia between 2007 and 2014

Zambia has reported high incidences of sexual abuse against women and children in recent years. Zambian law categorises sexual offences into; rape, defilement, incest and others, with defilement constituting the majority of the cases (>89%). Between 2010 and 2012, only <39% of defilement cases were taken to court, and convictions were achieved in only 13% of the cases reported to the police. Literature was reviewed to determine factors which contributed towards the resolution of criminal cases, and it was found that DNA evidence was prominent in resolving crimes, specifically as an identification tool in sexual offences. Currently there is no empirical evidence describing how DNA evidence has been used in resolving sexual crimes in Zambia. The causes of low prosecution and conviction rates have also not been investigated. A retrospective study was therefore conducted to evaluate the role of DNA evidence in sexual offence cases in Zambia, reported to eight major police stations in Lusaka between 2007 to 2014 (n=1154). Sexual offence cases comprised rape (n=74, 6.4%), defilement of a child under the age of sixteen years (n=1028; 89.1%), incest (n=7; 0.6%) and others (n=45; 3.9%). Only 14 (0.1%) of the cases had forensic samples collected in the form of a vaginal swab for the sole purpose of determining the presence of semen. In all cases where a suspect was identified (60%), identification was based on the witness/victim testimonies, and in no case was forensic DNA evidence used to assist in identification or corroborate the testimonies. Overall, 28.1% cases were taken to court and the conviction rate was 12.4%. If no injuries were observed on a victim aged between 0 - 5 years, the case was not taken to court. It was also observed that the younger the victim, the more likely the accused was not identified (p < 0.001), victims did not know the date of occurrence (p < 0.001), and the case was closed due to insufficient evidence. These findings support the use of employing forensic DNA evidence in sexual offence cases to aid the identification of suspects, either in the absence of witness/victim testimonies or alongside as corroborative evidence, which is hypothesised to increase the number of cases prosecuted in Zambia. At the time of this study there was no standardised protocol for the forensic investigations of sexual offences in Zambia, which to some extent, led to numerous missing data. Development and use of the national protocol and use of a validated sexual assault evidence collection kit may help mitigate the deficiencies and inconsistencies witnessed during this study

The 1996 Zambia National Housing Policy

Devising a workable housing policy in a country with apparently insurmountable housing problems, presents a great challenge. With the help of an award from UN-HABITAT, Zambian authorities attempted to do just this, in a process which is an ideal candidate for scrutiny. This study analyzes the goals, means and instruments that were used to formulate the policy, as well as its planned implementation. It examines whether the policy could have achieved its goals had it been implemented, and represents a valuable addition to the body of knowledge which can help to evaluate the potential for success of future housing policies.&nbsp;With its innovative work and the insights it offers into achieving policy implementation in the developing nations of sub-Saharan Africa, this book will be of value to students, academics and practitioners in policy formulation analysis and implementation. &nbsp

The Human Resource crisis in the Zambian Health Sector – a discussion paper

Objectives: The human resource crisis facing the Zambian health sector has potential to derail existing health programs including millennium development goals. This paper will highlight the underpinning factors, analyze current interventions and propose alternative solutions to this crisis. Design: The study was done through a review of articles and reports covering the topic. Main outcomes/results: The human resource crisis has been recognized by the Zambian government, Zambian organizations and the international community as the greatest challenge that threatens the entire healthcare system. The situation is getting worse and solutions implemented thus far have neither been totally effective nor comprehensive in arresting, let alone reversing the trend. Conclusion: The human resource crisis in Zambia has reached a disastrous stage with the health system at breaking point. Corrective measures have been started but these need to be strengthened and as comprehensive as can be. There is also need for innovation to consider other solutions that have not been tried before. This is important in order to safeguard Zambia’s development and all the other investments that the country has made into its future through programs such as the fight against HIV/ AIDS. Although there is need for stronger international cooperation, the primary solutions can and must come from within Zambia

PENERAPAN MODEL PROBLEM BASED LEARNING UNTUK MENINGKATKAN KETERAMPILAN BERPIKIR KRITIS, INOVATIF DAN KREATIF SERTA MEMOTIVASI BELAJAR PESERTA DIDIK DALAM PEMBELAJARAN SIKLUS AKUNTANSI PERUSAHAAN DAGANG DI KELAS XII SOS 1 SMA NEGERI 1 LARANTUKA TAHUN AJA

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui terjadinya peningkatan keterampilan&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; berpikir kritis, inovatif dan kreatif serta memotivasi belajar peserta didik dalam pembelajaran siklus akuntansi perusahaan dagang di kelas XII SOS 1 SMA NEGERI 1 Larantuka tahun ajaran 2020/2021. Penelitian ini termasuk penelitian tindakan dengan tahapan meliputi: perencanaan tindakan, pelaksanaan tindakan, observasi/evaluasi, dan refleksi. Data penelitian dikumpulkan dengan metode tes prestasi belajar. Analisis data mempergunakan metode analisis deskriptif. Berdasarkan analisis data diperoleh hasil ketika dilaksanakan tindakan siklus I menunjukan bahwa peserta didik memperoleh nilai belum baik karena masih terdapat 14 peserta didik yang belum tuntas dari 32 jumlah peserta didik. Hasil penelitian pada siklus II, memberikan manfaat yang baik bagi peserta didik. Metode yang diterapkan dalam pembelajaran menggunakan diskusi ini memberikan ruang untuk berkomunikasi yang baik antara teman dalam mempresentasikan hasil diskusi yang berdampaik bagi keterampilan berpikir kritis, inovatif dan efektif yang berdampak pada hasil belajar yaitu 100% tuntas. Sedangkan motivasi belajar peserta didik pada siklus ke II tinggi dengan rata-rata 91.25% yaitu 18 peserta didik memberi jawaban, ide/gagasan saat diskusi kelompok (sangat baik) dan 14 peserta didik menjawab pertanyaan dari guru 80% (baik). Ketercapaian peserta didik sesuai kriteria ketuntasan minimal semuanya tuntas. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian tersebut dapat diinterpretasikan bahwa dengan demikian dapat disimpulkan bahwa penerapan model Problem Based Learning dapat meningkatkan keterampilan&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; berpikir kritis, inovatif dan kreatif serta memotivasi belajar peserta didik kelas XII SOS 1 SMA Negeri 1 Larantuka Tahun Pelajaran 2020/2021

IMPLEMENTASI MODEL PEMBELAJARAN KOOPERATIF TIPE STAD UNTUK MENINGKATKAN PRESTASI BELAJAR MATA PELAJARAN EKONOMI PESERTA DIDIK KELAS XII SOS 1 SMA NEGERI 1 LARANTUKA TAHUN PELAJARAN 2019/2020

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui terjadinya peningkatan prestasi belajar aspek kognitif untuk mata pelajaran ekonomi peserta didik kelas XII SOS 1 SMA Negeri 1 Larantuka tahun pelajaran 2019/ 2020 dengan diterapkannya model pembelajaran kooperatif tipe STAD. Penelitian ini termasuk penelitian tindakan dengan tahapan meliputi; perencanaan tindakan, pelaksanaan tindakan, observasi/evaluasi, dan refleksi. Data penelitian dikumpulkan dengan metode Tes prestasi belajar. Analisis data mempergunakan metode analisis deskriptif. Berdasarkan analisis data diperoleh hasil: pada penelitian awal (prasiklus) nilai rata-rata klasikal sebesar 70,80 tergolong kategori kurang dengan persentase ketuntasan peserta didik sebesar 46,67%. Ketika dilaksanakan tindakan siklus I, nilai rata-rata klasikal yang diperoleh sebesar 74,10 tergolong kategori kurang dan capaian ketuntasan sebesar 63,66%. Hasil penelitian pada siklus II, nilai rata-rata klasikal yang diperoleh sebesar 81,50 tergolong kategori baik dan capaian ketuntasan sebesar 83,33%. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian tersebut dapat diinterpretasikan bahwa terjadi peningkatan secara signifikan prestasi belajar peserta didik dalam aspek kognitif yang ditunjukkan dari peningkatan nilai rata-rata klasikal dan capaian ketuntasan belajar dengan KKM = 77. Dengan demikian dapat disimpulkan bahwa implementasi model pembelajaran kooperatif tipe STAD dapat meningkatkan prestasi belajar mata pelajaran ekonomi peserta didik Kelas XII SOS 1 SMA Negeri 1 Larantuka Tahun Pelajaran 2019/2020

Computational approaches for voltage stability monitoring and control in power systems

The electric power grid is a complex, non-linear, non-stationary system comprising of thousands of components such as generators, transformers, transmission lines and advanced power electronics based control devices, and customer loads. The complexity of the grid has been further increased by the introduction of smart grid technologies. Smart grid technology adds to the traditional power grids advanced methods of communication, computation and control as well as increased use of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar farms and a higher penetration of plug-in electric vehicles among others. The smart grid has resulted in much more distributed generation, bi-directional powerflows between customers and the grid, and the semi-autonomous control of subsystems. Due to this added complexity of the grid and the need to maintain reliable, quality, efficient, economical, and environmentally friendly power supply, advanced monitoring and control technologies are needed for real-time operation of various systems that integrate into the transmission and distribution network. In this dissertation, the development of computational intelligence methods for on-line monitoring of voltage stability in a power system is presented. In order to carry out on-line assessment of voltage stability, data from Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) is utilized. An intelligent algorithm for optimal location of PMUs for voltage stability monitoring is developed. PMU information is used for estimation of voltage stability load index in a power system with plug-in electric vehicle and wind farm included. The estimated voltage stability index is applied in the development of an adaptive dynamic programming based optimal secondary voltage controller to coordinate the reactive power capability of two FACTS devices --Abstract, page iii

Patterns of Musculoskeletal Diseases seen in Zambian Children

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders are a common cause of long-term pain and physical disability affecting many people worldwide and have an enormous economic and social impact on the individual, society and national health systems. Although the burden of disease due to musculoskeletal disorders is said to be on the rise in the developing world, the full extent of this burden remains unknown.Objectives: To describe the patterns of musculoskeletal disorders seen in Zambian children aged below 15 years as baseline for future orthopaedic research, training and health management policy.Methods: Through a hospital-based cross-sectional study design, relevant data was collected onto an evaluation form from medical records of 1246 patients at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH), Zambian-Italian Orthopaedic Hospital (ZIOH) and the Flying-Specialist (FLYSPEC) nationwide orthopaedic outreach. The data was then entered into a spreadsheet and imported into SPSS for analysis.Results: Congenital abnormalities, other noncongenital deformities, and traumatic fracture dislocations were the commonest conditions affecting the 1246 sampled children with prevalence rates of 0.49, 0.22 and 0.14 respectively. Most patients presented late (more than 3months from the onset of their condition) with 509 (42.2%) having travelled for more than 10 kilometres to get to their treatment sites. 561 (45.4%) had been treated conservatively prior to their presentation to orthopaedics with another 471 (38.1%) having received no treatment at all.Conclusion: congenital abnormalities, noncongenital limb deformities and traumatic conditions were the commonest musculoskeletal disorders in that order. More males than females were afflicted though this distribution was different within the age ranges. Most of these patients presented late and distance to health facility was strongly correlated to late presentation. Furthermore, at first presentation these children receive little or no appropriate treatment from the first-line health workers at local health centres.Keywords: Musculoskeletal diseases, Children, Zambia

The 2019 carbon tax in South Africa: Effects on relative cost of building materials, welfare, emissions, and energy consumption for households

The introduction of the carbon tax by South Africa was primarily aimed at reducing pollution, and possibly improving the welfare of South African households. One of the ways of reducing pollution in the construction industry is to discourage the use of building materials that are high carbon emitters or have high energy intensities. This article used the Input-Output (IO) method and sensitivity analysis to study the effects of carbon tax on welfare distribution of South African households, using the 2014-2015 Living Conditions Survey (LCS). The study also set out to determine the relative sensitivity of price changes of some building materials after application of the 2019 carbon tax. Results showed that non-ferrous, ferrous, and prefabricated-based building materials had higher relative price sensitivities to carbon tax compared to other materials that were predominantly based on glass, cement, and treated metals. Increases in carbon tax may not discourage usage of relatively higher emissions-intensity materials like cement compared to wood. Operational building costs were dominated by electricity costs, with the burden being highest for lower income households. Any revenue-recycling efforts of the 2019 carbon tax for welfare purposes were marginal. However, the tax can be used to subsidize energy for lower income households

Maternal micronutrient status and decreased growth of Zambian infants born during and after the maize price increases resulting from the southern African drought of 2001-2002.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects on maternal micronutrient status and infant growth of the increased maize prices that resulted from the southern African drought of 2001-2002. DESIGN: Longitudinal cohort study. SETTING: A maternal and child health clinic in Lusaka, Zambia. SUBJECTS: Maternal and infant health and nutrition data and maternal plasma were being collected for a study of breast-feeding and postpartum health. Samples and data were analysed according to whether they were collected before (June to December 2001), during (January 2002 to April 2003) or after (May 2003 to January 2004) the period of increased maize price. Season and maternal HIV status were controlled for in analyses. RESULTS: Maize price increases were associated with decreased maternal plasma vitamin A during pregnancy (P = 0.028) and vitamin E postpartum (P = 0.042), with the lowest values among samples collected after May 2003 (vitamin A: 0.96 micromol l(-1), 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.84-1.09, n = 38; vitamin E: 30.8 micromol mmol(-1) triglycerides, 95% CI 27.2-34.8, n = 64) compared with before January 2002 (vitamin A: 1.03 micromol l(-1), 95% CI 0.93-1.12, n = 104; vitamin E: 38.9 micromol mmol(-1) triglycerides, 95% CI 34.5-43.8, n = 47). There were no significant effects of sampling date on maternal weight, haemoglobin or acute-phase proteins and only marginal effects on infant weight. Infant length at 6 and 16 weeks of age decreased progressively throughout the study (P-values for time of data collection were 0.51 at birth, 0.051 at 6 weeks and 0.026 at 16 weeks). CONCLUSIONS: The results show modest effects of the maize price increases on maternal micronutrient status. The most serious consequence of the price increases is likely to be the increased stunting among infants whose mothers experienced high maize prices while pregnant. During periods of food shortages it might be advisable to provide micronutrient supplements even to those who are less food-insecure